Making A Basic Signature

[Lord_Kamakazie]

How to make a basic signature
By Kama

I'm going to show you how to make a decent looking signature, using this render:
http://planetrenders.net/renders/albums/userpics/66414/bloodmagic_v2.png

Other Tools:
Rust and Grunge brush: http://ryan2006.deviantart.com/art/Rust-n-Grunge-12075057
By far my favorite Brush for photoshop.

Note: Section titles in red are provided for people who have never used PhotoShop before or have very little experience, people with practice can simply skip over.

Part 1: Loading Brushes

Select the brushes tab, here:

(The brushes tab is basically a paint brush, allowing you to set sizes, use other peoples or your own brush patterns and designs).

In the upper left task bar there will be a little brush icon and the current preset and brush size as well as a tiny arrow pointing down. Click it, the the arrow in the drop bar menu going left. Navigate to Replace brushes, displayed here:

Find were you saved the brush linked above and open it, this will replace the preset brushes with the Rust and Grunge brush, you may switch back at any time by clicking Reset Brushes. Once your brushes have loaded you should see the little patterns and sizes in the above image in your dropdown menu.

You can pick brushes and change the size here as well.

Part 2: Resizing the Render
First open your render with photoshop.

Most renders will have a small design on them, saying who rendered the image. Delete this as it will not be a part of the finished product. (Use the select tool, select the area around it and delete it).
In the lower left corner of the image you will see a number (100% in this case) but originally it was smaller, highlight the number on your render anc change to 100.

On the taskbar Go to Image > Image Size (Alt + Ctrl + I). And resize it to a desired width and length. In this case I used 320x182 px (Pixels).

Part 3: Getting Started
So you've loaded your brush, resized your render, what now?
Well now its time to start the signature.
Go to the taskbar and select File > New...

Part 3 A: Picking a size
Everyone prefers a different size that suits their style, on average I use 320x110 px, and I reccomend it.

Note: Set the background to Transparent.

Part 3 B: Making the Background
In the taskbar navigate Layer > New > New Layer... (Shift + Ctrl + N) or in the bottom right corner select the new layer button.

Note: Always leave Layer 1 Blank.

Select the Paint Bucket Tool (Under Gradient on the Toolbar) and paint layer 2 black. Click the arrows pointing to both colours (Black & White by default) So the selected colour is white. Select a brush design from the Brush drop down menu. I used the one sized 311. brush randomly across your canvas (Make sure to do this on a NEW layer).

You will end up with something similar to this.

Make a new layer and copy the render onto it, (On the render Select > All, ctrl + c then on your signature ctrl + v).

Now in the task bar go Filter > Blur > Motion Blur; you should get a pop up menu like this:

Fiddle with the setting until you find something you like. Then duplicate (Right click layer > Duplicate Layer) the layer twice and drag it to either side of the current using the Move Tool (V).

Now, Merge the Layers together using Merge Down (Right Click layer > Merge Down).

Note: Do NOT merge into your Brush work or background.

Step 3 C: Applying the Render
Create a new layer and put the render on it.
In the layers Tool Bar area their will be an Opacity setting, if not right click the layer and select Blending Opitions.

Set the opacity to 85% so it blends in with the background, a little like so:


Step 3 D: Making the Border
Create a New Layer then Select all then in the taskbar go to Edit > Stroke...
Select a colour or to be safe just use black, then select pixels, use 1 - 3.

Step 3 E: Text
Select the Text tool (T) and in the lower left or right hand corners of your canvas click and type your username/nickname.
Use a black or white text and set it to overlay for it to take on the looks of the background. Or use a coloured text and fiddle with the opacity to achieve the same results.

Step 4: Saving and Uploading
Save the PSD in the desired location with desired name (File > Save or Ctrl + S). Now you can't upload a PSD so next save it for the web. (File > Save for web & devices... or Alt + Shift + Ctrl + S)

Save the file as a PNG-24 to your desired location with desired name.

Part 4 A: Uploading
Upload to desired host such as http://www.ImageShack.us/ or http://www.PhotoBucket.com/

Part 5: The Result
Add your result in your signature for everyone to see.

Feel free to post comments or questions here, and of course your results.

My finished product:


Note: Right click any image and click view image to see it full size.

Closing
This just a guideline, you can use any render or brush and follow the tutorial to create a good looking signature.

[Emo]

Are you using any brush settings?

[Illumanus]

Omnomnom *Downloads brushes*

Thank yee for showing me this link.

[Emo]

Its easier to use then brushing randomly, and you can use dual brushes....

You should try it out.

[Illumanus]

A lot of people only use a brush once, then move onto another one. Or at least I do XDD

[Emo]

Ew, I use two at once, usually.

And I also change the shape of it so its different every time..

EDIT: I used what you said, and added some few touch ups.

Heres mine!

[DoorKnob22]

How would this work on GIMP? Or is it the same?rofl

[Revengez]

 I get to like the 4th step and everything totally messes up, when i try to blue it will only blur my render... I'm like really new to PS and i just got it like an hour ago thanks to well some... yeah well, once you paste the render on how do you move it? Its like stuck on it i'm trying to use a squirtle one  and i want it to the left but it pastes directly to the middle.

[Emo]

I get to like the 4th step and everything totally messes up, when i try to blue it will only blur my render

Make sure you have the layer you want to blue selected.

... I'm like really new to PS and i just got it like an hour ago thanks to well some... yeah well, once you paste the render on how do you move it? Its like stuck on it i'm trying to use a squirtle one  and i want it to the left but it pastes directly to the middle.

Press "v" then click and drag.

[Revengez]

I get to like the 4th step and everything totally messes up, when i try to blue it will only blur my render

Make sure you have the layer you want to blue selected.

... I'm like really new to PS and i just got it like an hour ago thanks to well some... yeah well, once you paste the render on how do you move it? Its like stuck on it i'm trying to use a squirtle one  and i want it to the left but it pastes directly to the middle.

Press "v" then click and drag.

Can you tell me how to select the layers, yes i am that noob at this.

[Striker]

Theres usually a layer palette near the bottom right, just click on the layer you want.

[Revengez]

Theres usually a layer palette near the bottom right, just click on the layer you want.

Ty so much :O

This is my first sig, does this like okay?



i need to add a border tho



k this is finished one

[eLK.]

So why isn't it in your sig?

[Revengez]

So why isn't it in your sig?

i'm still doing some stuff i wanna see if i can make it better

[Syaorann]

i stuff up at part 3 where the layer bits come in >_<

[islandDer]

How would this work on GIMP? Or is it the same?rofl

Same question.

[Emo]

For all of you who are having trouble I am making a video to help you.

[DertoJufolods]

This guide is teh shizz